"However, the Demon Beast Flesh is almost gone now, and the second layer of the Nourishing Life Skill requires a new concoction of medicinal liquid!"
Xu Ping frowned slightly, which meant he had to leave the underground cave and head outside.
Otherwise, without the aid of medicinal liquid, the Nourishing Life Skill would halt; without the support of Demon Beast Flesh, consuming only Spirit Rice would not suffice for his body.
He hadn't ventured outside for over a month and was unaware of the external situation.
After a brief contemplation, he finally made a decision.
He had to go out at least once.
It wasn't just for obtaining Demon Beast Flesh and herbs, but more importantly, to investigate the situation outside.
...
...
Dongwu Market.
Perimeter.
The Body Refining Cultivator Yuan Wei hid behind a phoenix tree with a heart full of fear and regret: "I must have been blinded by greed, coming out at such a time..."
"But the Spirit Rice and Demon Beast Flesh at home are almost finished; I don't want to starve, so what choice do I have?"
Yuan Wei had a bitter expression. As a Body Refining Cultivator, his daily food intake was large, and the supplies at home couldn't sustain him. He was forced to venture out in search of food.
But who knew that shortly after stepping out, he would encounter five or six Wind Wolves.
The First Rank Middle Grade Demon Beast 'Wind Wolf,' which usually appears deep in the wilderness; five or six could even surround and kill a Late-Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator.
A Late-Stage Qi Cultivation expert was considered a notable figure in the market even before it was breached, let alone now.
"Awoo!"
At this moment, accompanied by wolf howls, seven or eight Wind Wolves, almost never appearing except in the depths of the wilderness, came howling.
With a ripple of Spiritual Qi, several azure Wind Blades zipped towards his hiding spot.
"I've been discovered!"
Yuan Wei's face changed drastically; he hastily activated the Golden Light Shield Talisman, and a layer of gold light flashed over him. Though a Body Refining Cultivator, he dared not withstand the Wind Blades with his flesh.
The Wind Blades easily severed the phoenix tree at its waist, crashing against the Golden Light Shield.
The Golden Light Shield flickered from bright to dim, struggling to hold off the attack.
But the second, third...
The Wind Blades seemed inexhaustible, carrying wolf howls!
Boom!
The golden light around him shattered into fragments.
"This is not good!!"
Yuan Wei was astonished, rolling desperately on the ground, barely avoiding most Wind Blades, yet he was already drenched in blood.
Fortunately, with his robust physical form as a Body Refining Cultivator, he wasn't facing a lethal threat.
"I can't die here!!"
Yuan Wei gritted his teeth, unwilling to give up, and struggled to get up, forcing his body to dash forward.
But no matter how fast he was, he couldn't be faster than a Wind Blade.
Several Wind Blades whistled toward Yuan Wei, seemingly about to slice him into pieces.
Suddenly.
His vision blurred; a figure flickered before him, and then came a "clang" sound, with Wind Blades splitting apart into countless fragments of spiritual light, eventually dissipating in the air.
Yuan Wei turned his head in shock, witnessing the figure rush into the wolf pack; amidst glittering sword light, severed limbs of Wind Wolves danced.
The originally predatory Wind Wolves turned from excitement to terror...
Whimper!
Accompanied by several miserable wolf howls, all five or six Wind Wolves were slain, their bodies lying scattered, with blood flowing everywhere.
"This... this..."
Yuan Wei stared aghast at the scene, profoundly shocked.
Wind Wolves capable of killing a Late-Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator were slain so easily?
And this person before him, merely at the fourth layer of Qi Cultivation, possessed such ability?
Could it be that he reached the third layer of Body Refining??
"I... thank you for saving me, fellow Daoist!"
Seeing the newcomer pack up all the Wind Wolf carcasses, though still bleeding, Yuan Wei still expressed his gratitude with respect.
In today's disordered market, maintaining respect for powerful individuals who could take his life at any moment was vital, especially when the person saved his life.
However, upon seeing the man, his expression stiffened instantly.
Broad-shouldered, robust, with a face lined in ferocity, his appearance alone was intimidating.
Instinctively sensing immense danger, Yuan Wei became even more respectful.
"A trivial matter," Xu Ping waved his hand and then inquired, "What is the current situation in the market? I haven't gone out much since the Demon Bird destroyed it."
"Sigh, that day the Golden Core Demon Bird suddenly attacked..."
On this matter, Yuan Wei was filled with bitter tears, "Many were killed or injured back then, and fortunately, after the two Demon Beasts wreaked havoc, they left and have not returned since. Thus, the beast tide receded."
"The Golden Core Demon Beast left, and the beast tide receded!"
Xu Ping felt relieved, like the sword of Damocles over his head had finally been removed.
"Has the Longevity Sect sent anyone here again?" Xu Ping asked.
"Not at all; the Golden Core Demon Beast left days ago, with no sign of movement. It's unclear whether they've abandoned our market," Yuan Wei replied with a bitter smile.
"That shouldn't be the case, right? The effort the Longevity Sect put into establishing Dongwu Market isn't something easily abandoned."
"Plus, there should still be remnants of the Longevity Sect disciples within the market, shouldn't they know?" Xu Ping pushed further.
"Not many Longevity Sect disciples survived..."
Based on Yuan Wei's account, half of the Longevity Sect disciples were killed just on the day the Golden Core Demon Bird went rampant.
Those who survived became prime targets due to possible possessions of sect classics, spirit pills, and medicines, many of whom were intercepted and slain.
"However, afterward, a disciple named Zhang Changqing at the ninth layer of Qi Cultivation gathered the remaining Longevity Sect disciples, forming the top force in the market now, deterring others from hunting them casually."
"He also announced that the Longevity Sect would reestablish their presence in the market soon, which helped restore a semblance of order."
"But many are wavering after so many days of inactivity, especially considering the Golden Core Demon Beast, which only the Longevity Sect's Patriarch can handle."
"The Golden Core Patriarch surely wouldn't risk his life for a place like this." Yuan Wei added.
Upon hearing this, Xu Ping felt a heaviness in his heart.
He found Yuan Wei's points very reasonable.
Who knows if the Golden Core Demon Beast might return, and if they send people, what happens when it comes again?
Losing a few Foundation Establishment cultivators then would be a far greater loss than losing a border market.
Xu Ping asked again, "What about the current trading site?"
He couldn't rely on others' assurances; at worst, he could build his strength to a certain level and leave alone.
"Most of the original market has turned to ruins, so the survivors set up a new trading site in a remote valley."
"I see," Xu Ping nodded, then smilingly asked, "Could I trouble you to lead the way, fellow Daoist?"
Yuan Wei held his breath but dared not refuse, answering helplessly, "It's my honor."
After simply dressing his wounds, he led Xu Ping to the new trading site.